IBF Strips Kazakhstan’s Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of Middleweight World Title
ASTANA — The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has stripped Kazakhstan’s Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of his middleweight world title after determining that he could not meet the organization’s mandatory title defense requirements following a doping violation. The Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation received an official letter from the IBF Secretariat on March 10 confirming the decision. According to…
Over 9,500 Kazakh Citizens Evacuated from Middle East
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has evacuated 9,517 citizens from the Middle East with the support of government agencies and diplomatic missions, while operations continue in several countries in the region. According to the Foreign Ministry, evacuation efforts are currently underway from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the ministry is…
Kazakhstan Highlights Nuclear Energy as Strategic Priority at Paris Summit
ASTANA — Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to safe and sustainable nuclear energy at the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris on March 10, with a delegation led by Mazhilis Chairman Yerlan Koshanov. Speaking at the summit, Koshanov outlined Kazakhstan’s plans to develop its nuclear energy sector, including the construction of a nuclear power plant through…
Kazakhstan Launches Digital Platform to Promote Domestic Goods Abroad
ASTANA — The Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, part of Baiterek Holding, has launched an international digital platform, Exporter Showcase, to connect local manufacturers with global buyers. The platform serves as a detailed catalog of Made in Kazakhstan products across five sectors: light industry, food and chemical production, agricultural products, metallurgy, and machinery and construction…
First Kazakhstan Referendum Polling Station Abroad To Open In Tokyo
ASTANA – The first polling station for Kazakhstan’s upcoming referendum on March 15 will open abroad in Tokyo, while several polling stations inside the country will begin voting earlier at military bases. Within Kazakhstan, most polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. However, 92 stations across the country are scheduled to start voting earlier, at…
Kazakhstan Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to Middle East Amid Ongoing Evacuations
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has strongly urged citizens to refrain from planning trips to the Middle East until the situation in the region stabilizes, spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said at a March 10 briefing. The ministry, together with other competent state agencies, continues efforts to evacuate Kazakh citizens from countries in the Middle East and…
Kazakhstan’s New Migration Policy: What Will Change Through 2030
ASTANA — Kazakhstan adopted a new migration policy concept until 2030 in December last year, setting out a revised approach to migration aimed at making it more orderly, transparent, and beneficial for the country. The new migration policy introduces several concrete measures. It includes a points-based system for permanent residency to select migrants based on…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Transit Role, Critical Minerals Deal, and Major Investment Plans
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights discussions on strengthening the Middle Corridor, the Asian Development Bank’s multibillion-dollar investment plans, cross-border payment integration with Uzbekistan, and more. Kazakhstan, Serbia discuss effective utilization of Middle Corridor Kazakhstan and Serbia discussed opportunities for…
Foreign Ministry Expands Evacuation Efforts as More Kazakh Citizens Return Home
ASTANA — The number of Kazakh citizens evacuated from areas affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East continues to rise as additional repatriation flights land, Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said at a March 4 briefing, confirming that no injuries or fatalities among nationals have been reported. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry is operating around…
Kazakhstan Becomes World’s Second-Largest Gold Buyer in 2025 Amid Record Prices
ASTANA – Kazakhstan purchased 57 tons of gold in 2025, making it the second-largest buyer worldwide, behind Poland, which purchased 102 tons. Rising metal prices and geopolitical uncertainty drove demand for safe-haven assets. Azerbaijan (53.4 tons), Brazil (42.8 tons), and Türkiye (26.1 tons) rounded out the top five buyers. In comparison, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz…
Bibisara Assaubayeva Returns to World Top 10 in Latest FIDE Rankings
ASTANA – Kazakh International Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has climbed back into the world’s top 10 in the latest International Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings. Assaubayeva gained 19 rating points following her performance at the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Challengers tournament in Wijk aan Zee, securing ninth place in the updated women’s world rankings. China’s Hou Yifan…
Kazakhstan, ADB Discuss Strategic Cooperation, Sign $5.5 Billion Investment Program
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on March 2 to discuss expanding cooperation and launching major projects in key sectors to support Kazakhstan’s sustainable growth and structural modernization. Tokayev noted that over more than three decades of partnership, the ADB has financed more than 170 projects…
Kazakh President Condemns Military Actions, Urges Diplomatic Solutions in Middle East
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent personal messages to the leaders of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, expressing sincere support and solidarity with their peoples during what he described as a period of extreme trials. Tokayev strongly condemned any military actions aimed at undermining the sovereignty and security of…
Around 63 Million Tons of Kazakh Oil Transported via CPC Pipeline in 2025
ASTANA – Approximately 63 million tons of Kazakh crude oil were transported in 2025 via the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline system, operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the company reported following a meeting of its Corporate Governance Bodies in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 25-26. In total, the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline transported 70.52 million tons of oil last…
Tokayev, Vučić Joint Statement Highlights Expanded Strategic Partnership
ASTANA — Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Aleksandar Vučić adopted a Joint Statement reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Serbia on Feb. 27 as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. The Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and international law. Serbia expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan’s support…
Kazakhstan Reports Tourism Growth Surge as Visitor Numbers and Revenues Climb in 2025
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s tourism industry showed solid growth in 2025, marked by rising foreign arrivals, expanding domestic travel and increased investment, reinforcing the country’s ambitions to become a leading destination in the region. Some 6.7 million domestic tourists used accommodation services in the first nine months of 2025, said Nurbol Baizhanov, acting chair of the…
Kazakhstan, UK Deepen Strategic Partnership with Focus on Critical Minerals, Trade and Education
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held a series of high-level talks in London on Feb. 26 with UK officials, advancing cooperation in critical minerals, trade and investment, energy, digital transformation and education, and reinforcing the countries’ long-term strategic partnership. During negotiations with Chris Bryant, the UK’s acting Minister of State for Business and…
Kazakhstan Highlights Strategic Role in Connectivity at First CA5+UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev underscored Kazakhstan’s central role in Eurasian transit and regional cooperation at the inaugural Central Asia + United Kingdom (CA5+UK) foreign ministers’ meeting in London on Feb. 26, positioning the country as a key bridge between Europe and Asia. The meeting brought together Central Asian foreign ministers and the…
Kazakhstan to Open Polling Stations in 62 Countries for Constitutional Referendum
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry published a list of overseas polling stations on Feb. 23 where citizens abroad will be able to vote in the March 15 constitutional referendum, with voting organized in 62 countries worldwide. The ministry will arrange voting at embassies and consulates general, including those in Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy,…
Kyrgyz National Bank Raises Key Rate to 12%
ASTANA — The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic raised its policy rate by 100 basis points to 12% on Feb. 23. The decision took effect on Feb. 24. The bank cited an uneven external economic environment and elevated inflation in major trading partners, noting that domestic prices remain sensitive due to the country’s reliance…
Tokayev Honors Olympic Champion Mikhail Shaidorov
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented state awards to Olympic gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov and his coaching team on Feb. 25, praising the figure skater’s historic triumph at the 25th Winter Olympic Games as a milestone for Kazakhstan’s national sports history. The ceremony celebrated Shaidorov’s gold medal performance in figure skating at the 2026 Winter…
Serbian President Vučić to Pay Official Visit to Kazakhstan This Week
ASTANA – President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on Feb. 26-27 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the visit, the two Presidents will hold full-format high-level talks, reported Akorda. The Presidents are expected to discuss the current state and future prospects of Kazakh-Serbian relations, with a focus…
The Telegraph Includes Bozzhyra Tract in Mangystau Region Among World’s 10 Must-Visit Deserts
ASTANA — The British newspaper The Telegraph has included the Bozzhyra Tract in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region in its list of The 10 Deserts You Must Visit in Your Lifetime on Feb. 18, highlighting the site’s dramatic landscapes and growing tourism potential. Describing the Bozzhyra Tract on the Ustyurt Plateau, the publication highlights its dramatic landscapes…
Kazakhstan Reviews Peacekeepers’ Readiness for UN Mission
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov met with members of the third national peacekeeping contingent during a working visit to Almaty as they prepare for deployment to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission in the Golan Heights. The visit also included a presentation of a new defense innovation hub designed to…
Kazakhstan Wraps Up 2026 Winter Olympics with Historic Gold and Strong Top-10 Results
ASTANA — Kazakhstan finished the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy with one gold medal, marking the country’s second-best performance in its history at the Winter Games. The historic victory came in figure skating, while several other athletes achieved top-10 finishes. The only medal for Kazakhstan was won by Mikhail Shaidorov, who claimed gold in…
